What do stars represent in the Bible?

Stars in the Bible refer to literal stars (Psalm 8:3-4; Mat.24:29; Mark 13:24-25) or they may be used symbolically (Gen. 37:10; Revelation 1:16, 20; Isa. 13:1,9-10). Symbolically, the Bible teaches that stars can refer to angels, messengers, or leaders.

The Bible tells us in Revelation 1:16 that stars refer to angels “The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.” These stars represent the good “angels,” or messengers, sent to the seven churches ( v. 20). And in Revelation 12:4, the stars refer to the evil angels that were cast with Lucifer from heaven.

Also, stars refer to leaders in the church, “Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars” (Revelation 12:1). Commentators have interpreted stars here to the 12 apostles. Back in Bible times, people used the stars to guide them in their travels, especially at sea because the stars were constant. Likewise, stars in the Bible represent divine leadership. The Lord sends messengers to help guide the people in their spiritual journeys and travels. These spiritual messengers are especially important in the dark times of trial.

Some erroneously use astrology to predict the future and help them make decisions in their lives. While Astronomy that deals with celestial objects, space, and the physical universe is a valid branch of science, astrology the study of the movements and the relative positions of celestial bodies interpreted as having an influence on human affairs and the natural world is a forbidden evil that the Bible warns us against (Deuteronomy 18:10-14). For this reason, God commanded the children of Israel not to worship the “host of heaven” (Deuteronomy 4:19). And He identifies astrologers as among those who will be lost in the Day of Judgment (Isaiah 47:13-14).

No one knows the future but God. The astrologers of the Babylonian empire failed to reveal the future to king Nebuchadnezzarbut Daniel through the Spirit of the Lord did reveal the events that would come (Daniel 1:20; 2:27).

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